Should I Save My Baby’s Cord Blood?

Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord after delivery of a newborn. When you save your baby’s cord blood it’s called cord blood banking.

Parents may choose to save cord blood because it is rich in stem cells. Stem cells are special cells that can transform into nearly any other type of cell in the body. Doctors use stored stem cells to treat certain illnesses. Stored cord blood could help with these treatments that your child could face in the future.

Many parents consider the question of whether they should save their baby’s cord blood as an investment in the future. The cord blood might be beneficial in treating any issues that arise later.

Cord blood and stem cell research is ongoing. We can’t predict the ways that a baby’s saved cord blood might be used in the future.

Should I Save My Baby’s Cord Blood?

Choosing to save your baby’s cord blood can be a tough decision. Storing the blood for many years can be quite expensive and there’s a very low chance that your child may ever need it.

On the other hand, should your child require the use of stem cells, using cord blood is much easier and less traumatic than a procedure like a bone marrow transplant from a matching donor.

Are interested in saving your baby’s cord blood after delivery? Or would you like to talk over the decision of whether you should save your baby’s cord blood? The physicians at Pacific Women’s Center can help. Please give us a call at (541) 342-8616 to schedule an appointment. We’ll help you weigh the benefits and costs of saving your baby’s cord blood.